Pregame: Illinois vs UConn, Saturday, April 4th, 5:09pm CT, TBS

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#1,051      
Weatherspoon1
RabidDawgClassic said:
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This sums up my feelings for this team 🤣❤️🏆
 
#1,052      
Curbelo Fanboy
Isn't there something to be said about a "business as usual" approach as we near 24 hours before tip off? It has to be incredibly tough when you see 10,000 people show up for a shoot around.

Ultimately, not one of us on any message board knows what goes into this and how the emotions can or can't get the best of you. Does the moment get best of you?

To me, that's the challenge for Brad. How can you get young guys to settle in when there is absolutely no way to reasonably make this normal and maybe letting them take it in is a good thing? I suppose only a sports psychologist could answer that.

I do think a coach like Hurley could manage that from the jump. I'm not saying they don't enjoy it as much, but knowing what buttons to push and when to push them is important.

In 2005, I totally remember us not being ourselves in the first half vs UNC. It was like, who is this team? We got down significantly and were back to normal. I've wondered if Roy Williams managed the moment better? We'll never know, but there's no real replacement for experience in any facet of life.

The emotions for these guys has to be off the charts.
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If we get to Monday, I just hope we don't see a 5 fingers make a fist type of speech. Brad has a bit more fire in him I think.
 
#1,053      
Curbelo Fanboy
Second place is 1st loser said:
Isn't there something to be said about a "business as usual" approach as we near 24 hours before tip off? It has to be incredibly tough when you see 10,000 people show up for a shoot around.

Ultimately, not one of us on any message board knows what goes into this and how the emotions can or can't get the best of you. Does the moment get best of you?

To me, that's the challenge for Brad. How can you get young guys to settle in when there is absolutely no way to reasonably make this normal and maybe letting them take it in is a good thing? I suppose only a sports psychologist could answer that.

I do think a coach like Hurley could manage that from the jump. I'm not saying they don't enjoy it as much, but knowing what buttons to push and when to push them is important.

In 2005, I totally remember us not being ourselves in the first half vs UNC. It was like, who is this team? We got down significantly and were back to normal. I've wondered if Roy Williams managed the moment better? We'll never know, but there's no real replacement for experience in any facet of life.

The emotions for these guys has to be off the charts.
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It's a trade off for sure. The crowd could be a massive edge or it could be a massive distraction.

There are times in sports where it seems the crowd has been a major factor in just refusing to allow their team to lose. IL vs AZ in 2005 is an example. Michigan State in Detroit in the elite eight in 2000 vs Iowa State is another one I can think of. I'd rather have the crowd than not have the crowd tho.
 
#1,056      
Illwinsagain
Roundball Sage said:
Great! The bigger the challenge... the greater the prize and satisfaction. Coach has always spoken over the years about wanting to play the best and measure yourself to that level. Yes Sir! That is the right way to think and lead young men.

Here's a more puzzling question: WHO will most Hoosier fans be cheering for? Will Big Ten envy and Illinois-rivalry rule and they join up with The Conns'? Or will pride in the Big Ten win out and the Illini pick up some unlikely supporters for at least this once?
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I have a Purdue fan that told me this morning, for this ONE and ONLY time, he is cheering for UI and scUM. Of course, he is a reasonable man.
 
#1,064      
PNWIllini
Second place is 1st loser said:
Isn't there something to be said about a "business as usual" approach as we near 24 hours before tip off? It has to be incredibly tough when you see 10,000 people show up for a shoot around.

Ultimately, not one of us on any message board knows what goes into this and how the emotions can or can't get the best of you. Does the moment get best of you?

To me, that's the challenge for Brad. How can you get young guys to settle in when there is absolutely no way to reasonably make this normal and maybe letting them take it in is a good thing? I suppose only a sports psychologist could answer that.

I do think a coach like Hurley could manage that from the jump. I'm not saying they don't enjoy it as much, but knowing what buttons to push and when to push them is important.

In 2005, I totally remember us not being ourselves in the first half vs UNC. It was like, who is this team? We got down significantly and were back to normal. I've wondered if Roy Williams managed the moment better? We'll never know, but there's no real replacement for experience in any facet of life.

The emotions for these guys has to be off the charts.
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James Augustine being called for a foul every time he consumed oxygen near Sean May could just have played a part in that first half fog.
 
#1,073      
hoopsfan47
I have a Purdue fan that told me this morning, for this ONE and ONLY time, he is cheering for UI and scUM. Of course, he is a reasonable man.
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There is no such thing as a reasonable person cheering for Cheatigan...at least no one who actually knows the facts behind their dispicable athletic morals displayed over the past 125 years. They have constantly embraced breaking the rules in order to get an advantage rather than working to play competently to best their opponents.
 
#1,075      
plooger
Keep hearing about Big10 not having won since MSU in 2000, so wanted to review. Interesting facts...

* Big10 has had more distinct teams (7) in the Championship game than any other conference
* Unfortunate 0-8 record for Big10 (though includes the scrubbed Louisville win over MI); 8 teams and 0-9 if including UCLA
* Big East with a remarkable 9-0 record in the final since 2001, echoing the oft-repeated stat Re: UConn's current "Sweet 16 or later" win streak


NCAA Championship since 2001.png
 
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